Picture Signal Thresholding Patents (Class 358/465)
  • Patent number: 11669019
    Abstract: A method for determining stochastic edge placement error associated with a pattern. The method includes acquiring, via a metrology tool, a plurality of images of the pattern at a defined location on the substrate without performing a substrate alignment therebetween; and generating at least two data: (i) first data associated with the pattern using a first set of images of the plurality of images, and (ii) second data associated with the pattern using a second set of images of the plurality of images. The first set of images and the second set of images include at least one different image. The method further includes determining (e.g., via a decomposition algorithm), using the first data and the second data associated with the pattern at the defined location, the stochastic edge placement error associated with the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Jiyou Fu
  • Patent number: 11379700
    Abstract: A method in described in which image data to be printed and a halftone matrix are provided. The halftone matrix comprises rows having randomized values within alternating ranges of values. The halftone matrix is applied to the image data to generate a plurality of halftone patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter Morovic, Jan Morovic
  • Patent number: 11367228
    Abstract: A method for evaluating image quality is provided. The method may include: obtaining an image, the image including a plurality of elements, each element of the plurality of elements being a pixel or voxel, each element having a gray level; determining, based on a maximum gray level of the plurality of elements, one or more thresholds for segmenting the image; determining one or more sub-images of a region of interest by segmenting, based on the one or more thresholds, the image; and determining, based on the one or more sub-images of the region of interest, a quality index for the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi Wang
  • Patent number: 11128771
    Abstract: A scanner assembly for portably scanning documents is disclosed. The scanner assembly includes a board and a cradle assembly. The cradle assembly includes a first cradle member and second cradle member spaced from one another, coupled to the board, and configured to receive the scanner. The cradle assembly includes a support bracket disposed between and coupled to the first and second cradle members. The cradle assembly also includes a lock assembly coupled to the first cradle member and movable between a first position where the scanner is fixed to the first and second cradle members and a second position where the scanner is removable from the first and second cradle members. The first and second cradle members and the support bracket of the cradle assembly are movable along the board for allowing the scanner to scan documents disposed on the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Eugene Stephens
  • Patent number: 11062163
    Abstract: Techniques for binarization and extraction of information from image data are disclosed. The inventive concepts include independently binarizing portions of the image data on the basis of individual features, e.g. per connected component, and using multiple different binarization thresholds to obtain the best possible binarization result for each portion of the image data. Determining the quality of each binarization result may be based on attempted recognition and/or extraction of information therefrom. Independently binarized portions may be assembled into a contiguous result. In one embodiment, a method includes: identifying a region of interest within a digital image; generating a plurality of binarized images based on the region of interest using different binarization thresholds; subjecting the region of interest within a digital image to a plurality of thresholding and extraction iterations; and extracting data from some or all of the plurality of binarized images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KOFAX, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Thrasher, Alexander Shustorovich, Stephen Michael Thompson, Jan W. Amtrup, Anthony Macciola
  • Patent number: 10783340
    Abstract: A data determination apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: calculate a difference in signal values between each combination of neighboring pixels among a plurality of pixels forming image data of a barcode; compare a sum of a plurality of the differences with a reference value; and detect, based on a result of the comparing, a pixel at a boundary position at which a signal value of the pixel is switched from one of a first value and a second value to a remaining one of the first value and the second value among the plurality of pixels forming the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Noriyuki Suzuki, Yoshiki Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10614301
    Abstract: Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a method that includes receiving a plurality of images from an image capturing unit. Thereafter, an image evaluation process is executed on each of plurality of sections in each of the plurality of images. The image evaluation process includes performing optical character recognition (OCR) on each of the plurality of sections in each of the plurality of images to generate text corresponding to the plurality of respective sections. Further, the image evaluation process includes querying a linguistic database to identify one or more errors in the generated text. Further, the method includes modifying one or more image characteristics of each of the plurality of images and repeating the execution of the image evaluation process on the modified plurality of images until at least the calculated statistical score is less than a pre-defined statistical score threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: H. Sprague Ackley
  • Patent number: 9906687
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for starting a multiple scanline error diffusion method are disclosed. For example, the method includes identifying a pixel for each scanline of a plurality of scanlines, wherein the pixel that is identified in the each scanline of the plurality of scanlines is offset, setting all pixels behind the pixel for the each scanline of the plurality of scanlines that is identified with a white pixel value and starting the multiple scanline error diffusion method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Jon Metcalfe, Ryan David Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 9846951
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining an image that includes a connected component that includes a set of pixels, calculating a representative color for the set of pixels, mapping the representative color to an application color in an application color palette of an application, and generating an electronic document that includes a revised version of the connected component in the application color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason James Grams, Douglas Walter Obrecht, Stuart Guarnieri
  • Patent number: 9785850
    Abstract: A system and process of nearsighted (myopia) camera object detection involves detecting the objects through edge detection and outlining or thickening them with a heavy border. Thickening may include making the object bold in the case of text characters. The bold characters are then much more apparent and heaver weighted than the background. Thresholding operations are then applied (usually multiple times) to the grayscale image to remove all but the darkest foreground objects in the background resulting in a nearsighted (myopic) image. Additional processes may be applied to the nearsighted image, such as morphological closing, contour tracing and bounding of the objects or characters. The bound objects or characters can then be averaged to provide repositioning feedback for the camera user. Processed images can then be captured and subjected to OCR to extract relevant information from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sage Software, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott E. Barton
  • Patent number: 9582861
    Abstract: A method includes separating image data into high frequency image data and low frequency image data. The high frequency image data is separated into windows, with each window containing pixels. The low frequency image data is separated into windows corresponding respectively to the plurality of windows of the high frequency image data, with each window containing pixels. For each window in the high frequency image data, a number of textured pixels in the window is determined, the textured pixels being pixels that vary greatly in luminance value with respect to other pixels in the window, and a window modification is determined such that the number of textured pixels in the window is reduced. For each corresponding window in the low frequency image data, the window modification is applied, and each textured pixel in the window is corrected based upon the other pixels in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Gregory Roffet
  • Patent number: 9459953
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for enhancing error protection for wireless transmissions. The apparatus may generally include a processing system configured to generate a first error check value for a packet to be transmitted to another apparatus, the first error check value generated based on a remaining portion of the packet, and generate a second error check value for the packet based on information known or expected by the other apparatus and other information transmitted in the packet. The apparatus may also include a transmitter configured to transmit the packet to the other apparatus, the packet comprising the first and second error check values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Alfred Asterjadhi, Bin Tian
  • Patent number: 9412157
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for high speed filtering of an image for high precision that may include a coordinate determining unit to determine coordinates (P,Q) on a screen with respect to a first pixel to be filtered, a pixel determining unit to determine a second pixel with coordinates including either P or Q, a block setting unit to set a first block comprising the first pixel, and a second block comprising the second pixel, and a processing unit to filter the first pixel by comparing the first block and the second block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Sun Kim, Hwa Sup Lim, Kee Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 9338318
    Abstract: This image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit, an average-density calculation unit, a statistical processing unit, and a blank-page determination unit. The image reading unit reads an original image and outputs image data of the original image. The average-density calculation unit calculates an average density value of block image data for a plurality of block images, which are obtained by dividing the original image, based on the image data output from the image reading unit. The statistical processing unit determines a characteristic value of the average density value distribution associated with the block images. The blank-page determination unit determines whether or not the original image is a blank image based on the characteristic value determined by the statistical processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9191582
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that provide a multi-mode sensor having the capability to support both passive and active operation. One embodiment provides a sensor readout device for operation with a sensor array having rows and columns of detectors. The device includes a column cell for receiving a detector output signal from a first row of a column of the sensor array, and an additional column cell. The device further includes a multiplexer configured to steer a detector output signal from a second row of the column of the sensor array to the additional column cell, thereby allowing multiple rows of the sensor array to be readout simultaneously. In some cases, the sensor array includes an active/passive dual mode central windowed area, and the multiplexer allows columns of the windowed area to be readout at two or more speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Harold T. Wright, James A. Stobie
  • Patent number: 9167271
    Abstract: In order to preserve edges of a picture and to suppress a residual distorted signal in a reproduced picture, a picture processing device (in-loop filter) includes a first filter unit for applying a first filter to an input picture to generate a first filter picture, an attribute information generator which generates an attribute value indicating whether or not to apply a second filter to each pixel of the generated first filter picture, and a second filter unit for applying the second filter to a target pixel of the first filter picture selected on the basis of the attribute value of each pixel of the generated first filter picture, to generate a second filter picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Suzuki, Choong Seng Boon, Thiow Keng Tan
  • Patent number: 9117263
    Abstract: The noise in an image having text is removed by convolving a shaped kernel centered on a pixel for each pixel in the image. The shaped kernel has a shape configured to identify pixels that are not part of the text. For example, the shaped kernel may be shaped with zeros in a center of the kernel to identify pixels that are not part of the text. A value for the pixel is set to erase the pixel when the resulting convolution value for the pixel is less than a threshold. The process may be repeated multiple times for differently shaped kernels, including kernels of different sizes and different configurations, such as having values greater than one in at least one of a row, column, and diagonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramin Rezaiifar, Serafin Diaz Spindola
  • Patent number: 9036223
    Abstract: Systems and methods for edge detection during an imaging operation are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method may include subdividing an imaging area into a plurality of border detection zones. The method may also include scanning the imaging area including media to be scanned to obtain optical data for each of the plurality of border detection zones. The method may also include identifying at least one edge of the media based on change in the optical data between directly adjacent border detection zones, where the change indicates detection of a moiré pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Yarn Chee Poon, Chuan Wai Wong, Whee Cheng Ong
  • Patent number: 9007665
    Abstract: Documents in a large-format scanning system are scanned by coarsely recognizing longitudinal or transverse transition regions between a reflector roller and a document by the substeps of dividing the scanning image transversely into uniform image strips, determining statistical parameters for each image strip, examining the scanning image in the image strips with fixed threshold values for deviations such that, if a value of one the statistical parameters of an image strip exceeds the threshold value, this region is recognized as being a transverse transition region between the reflector roller and the document, and examining the image strips to determine the longitudinal transition region by line-by-line generation of an average value and determining sufficiently strong and steep edges, the image strips being rotated incrementally from the transverse of the document to an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Roth + Weber GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Kaempflein, Burkhard Schoelpen
  • Patent number: 8988743
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a document detecting apparatus includes a light-emitting element, a photoelectric conversion element, a light-emission controller and a detection processor. The light-emitting element projects light onto a detection position of a document. The light-emitting element is not used for reading an image of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts light projected onto the detection position into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. The light-emission controller changes the light quantity of the light emitted by the light-emitting element during a predetermined interval. The detection processor detects the presence or absence of the document at the detection position of the document based on whether a value of the output electric signal during the predetermined interval changes in correspondence to the change of the light quantity caused by the light-emission controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sueo Ueno, Mitsuru Hatano, Katsuya Nagamochi, Hiroyuki Shiraishi, Yusuke Hashizume
  • Patent number: 8970917
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an identifying area dividing unit configured to divide the image data into plural identifying areas; a binarization processing unit configured to perform a binarization process for the identifying areas with respective binarization threshold values preset for the identifying areas; a black pixel number identifying unit configured to identify whether or not the numbers of pixels with a density value of black in the respective identifying area exceed respective number threshold values preset for the identifying areas; and a blank sheet identifying unit configured to identify that the image data is image data of a blank sheet if the black pixel number identifying unit identifies that none of the numbers of pixels with the density value of black in the respective identifying areas exceeds the number threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8861048
    Abstract: An image scanner includes a stationary original plate on which a stationary original is placed and a moving original plate, over which a moving original is conveyed, aligned with the stationary original plate in a sub-scanning direction and tilted relative to the stationary original plate by a given angle. A reader is movable in the sub-scanning direction between a stationary original reading span disposed opposite the stationary original via the stationary original plate to read an image on the stationary original and a moving original reading position disposed opposite the moving original via the moving original plate to read an image on the moving original. The reader pressingly contacts the stationary original plate and the moving original plate as the reader moves in the sub-scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Narai, Yasunobu Youda, Taku Kudoh, Takayuki Andoh, Koji Hatayama, Yohei Osanai
  • Patent number: 8804208
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus that reads images of document images having different gloss levels with a reproducibility suitable for uses includes a data processor to irradiate a document image with light from a regular reflection light source and a diffuse reflection light source, and to generate image data based on a regular reflection output value and a diffuse reflection output value obtained from a photoelectric converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Yoshihiko Minagawa, Hideaki Inoue, Junya Ozawa, Yoshihiro Hanagata, Hotaka Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20140118798
    Abstract: An image scanner includes a transparent plate, a scanning device, a driving device, a positioning member, a light absorbing portion and a white reference portion. The transparent plate has an original placing surface. The scanning device irradiates an original with light by means of a light source and scans reflected light from the original. The driving device reciprocates the scanning device along the transparent plate. The positioning member positions the original placed on the original placing surface of the transparent plate. The light absorbing portion, which is disposed on the original placing surface side of the positioning member and at substantially a central portion of the positioning member in moving directions of the scanning device, absorbs ambient light entering to the original placing surface side of the positioning member through the transparent plate. The white reference portion is provided to the original placing surface side of the positioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Ikeno, Yoichi Susaki
  • Publication number: 20140036320
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an identifying area dividing unit configured to divide the image data into plural identifying areas; a binarization processing unit configured to perform a binarization process for the identifying areas with respective binarization threshold values preset for the identifying areas; a black pixel number identifying unit configured to identify whether or not the numbers of pixels with a density value of black in the respective identifying area exceed respective number threshold values preset for the identifying areas; and a blank sheet identifying unit configured to identify that the image data is image data of a blank sheet if the black pixel number identifying unit identifies that none of the numbers of pixels with the density value of black in the respective identifying areas exceeds the number threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8599451
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device that is capable of correcting skew of a sheet like an index sheet without complicating a use setting and without increasing a cost significantly. A plurality of conveyance units are arranged in a direction intersecting a sheet conveyance direction to convey a sheet. At least three detection sensors are arranged in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction at an upstream side from the conveyance units to detect the sheet. A skew amount computation unit measures a time difference between detection timings of a front end of the sheet by two of the at least three detection sensors except the detection sensor that detects first, and computes a front-end skew amount according to the time difference. A speed change unit makes the conveyance speeds of the conveyance units be different according to the front-end skew amount so as to correct the skew of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20130271796
    Abstract: A method for capturing high-quality document images, comprising steps which first attempt to correct deficiencies in a captured image, then subsequently score the corrected image for quality, and finally, use the score to determine whether the image duality is acceptable. Unacceptable images are flagged for recapture. Corrected deficiencies comprise exposure, geometric distortions and extraneous background. Scored attributes comprise focus, contrast, and legibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Pedro Landa
  • Patent number: 8531736
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a high-resolution converting unit configured to use image data of a plurality of frames of images in which positions read by a sensor are shifted by less than one pixel in a main scanning direction and/or a sub-scanning direction to generate image data having resolution higher than resolution of the sensor, an image region information generating unit configured to generate image region information corresponding to the image data read by the sensor, and an image region information high-resolution converting unit configured to convert a format of the image region information generated by the image region information generating unit and to perform a high-resolution conversion on the image region information using the high-resolution converting unit in such a way as to cause the image region information to correspond to the image data having the resolution higher than the resolution of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8483502
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an input unit which inputs a pixel value of a multi-level notice pixel, a first add unit which acids an error value to the input value, a second add unit which adds a green noise value to the input value, a threshold processing unit which outputs an binarized output values a green noise calculation unit which calculates the green noise value, a subtract unit which calculates an error value due to binarization, an error diffusion unit which diffuses the calculated error value to an untreated pixel which is not yet binarized and a correction processing unit which adds a positive first offset to the error value to perform a correction and outputs the corrected error value to the first add unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Masanori Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 8422097
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing method for processing an image obtained by reading a document plate on which at least one document is placed. The method includes a first detecting step of specifying a first rectangular region including all of objects included in the image to detect the coordinates of each vertex thereof, an identifying step of identifying on each object whether it is a document item, an eliminating step of eliminating the object which is not a document item from the image, a second detecting step of specifying a second rectangular region to detect the coordinates of each vertex thereof, the region including all of the objects after elimination and having a minimum area, a comparing step of comparing the coordinates of the vertices detected in the first and second detecting steps, and a determining step of determining a method of cropping the document based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoto Matsui
  • Patent number: 8411327
    Abstract: There is provided a data processing device that includes an obtaining unit that obtains a first image data set, a second image data set generated by reading an image formed using the first image data set, and a property data set indicating the properties of a recording medium on which the image is to be reproduced. The data processing device also includes a specifying unit that determines a threshold for a density difference between the first image data set and the second image data set, wherein the threshold depends on the property data set. The specifying unit also determines an error area where the density difference between images expressed by the first and second image data sets is equal to or greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamagishi, Hirofumi Ishii, Tohru Yamano, Yosuke Takebe, Hiroshi Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 8400694
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to save toner, which can increase the sharpness of printed data (for example, images or characters) on a printing medium while achieving toner saving, and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus includes a determinator, a storage unit, and a halftoning processor. The determinator receives a command signal to print and then determines whether or not the received command signal is a command signal for a toner saving mode. The storage unit stores a halftone table in which an LPI higher than a normal LPI is set. If the received command signal is a command signal for the toner saving mode, the halftoning processor generates and outputs halftoning result by comparing gray level values corresponding to pixels of received input image data with grayscale values of the stored halftone table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 8351094
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent plate for mounting a sheet, a sheet cover having a light reflecting plate for reflecting light passing through the transparent plate, a storage unit for storing first profile information involving plural darkness data of reflection light from the light reflecting plate detected by an image sensor in advance when a speed of closing the sheet cover is changed variously without the sheet mounted on the transparent plate, and for storing second profile information involving plural darkness data of reflection light detected by the image sensor when the sheet is mounted on the transparent plate and the sheet cover is closed, and a control unit for comparing the first profile information with the second profile information stored in the storage unit, and for determining that a sheet is mounted on the transparent plate when there is a predetermined difference therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Access Technica, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Iwaki
  • Publication number: 20130003139
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a holding surface that holds a first document, a conveyor unit that conveys a second document along a conveying path, a first contact surface that contacts a first side of the second document when the conveyor unit conveys the second document, a second contact surface that contacts a second side of the second document when the conveyor unit conveys the second document, and reading units. A first reading unit reads an image on a side of the first document held by the holding surface, and reads an image on the first side of the second document being conveyed by the conveyor unit. A second reading unit is disposed above the second contact surface and reads an image on the second side of the second document. The second reading unit is disposed not to overlap the first reading unit in an up down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshinori OSAKABE
  • Patent number: 8339685
    Abstract: The image reading apparatus is provided with: a manuscript table on which a manuscript is placed; a reflection mirror that moves relative to the manuscript table, and that reflects light which is emitted to and then reflected by the manuscript placed on the manuscript table; an image data generating unit that includes plural light receiving pixels receiving the light reflected by the reflection mirror, and that generates image data on the basis of the light received by the plural light receiving pixels; and a positional information acquiring unit that acquires the image data generated by the image data generating unit with movement of the reflection mirror, and that acquires, on the basis of a density value of each pixel in the image data, information on a position of a pixel affected by an adhesion substance adhering to the reflection mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiko Shiraishi, Kosuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8339673
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image are provided that can suppress blur edges at an edge portion of a character so that sharpness and quality of the image can be improved. The apparatus comprises an inside and outside edge discrimination portion for discriminating whether a target pixel to be processed belongs to an inside edge or to an outside edge, a threshold value generating portion for selecting a threshold value from plural threshold values for error diffusion process in accordance with an area discriminated by the inside and outside edge discrimination portion to output the selected threshold value and an error diffusion process portion for performing the error diffusion process for multilevel input data concerning the target pixel by utilizing the threshold value generated by the threshold value generating portion so as to produce output data whose gradation steps are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taisuke Akahori
  • Patent number: 8335023
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a plurality of emitters that emit light onto a manuscript surface in a light quantity that is the synthesized light quantity of light emitted from the plurality of emitters. In the image reading apparatus, determination on the abnormality of a reference white data level value at the time of turning on a power supply is carried out through comparison between the reference white data level value with a predetermined absolute value. A normal reference white data level value is stored in a first storing unit, while a comparison white data level value detected at the time of manuscript reading operation is stored in a second storing unit. Then, a differential between the level values stored in the first and second storing units is calculated, and an abnormality determining unit compares the differential with a predetermined threshold to detect the abnormality of an emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8264751
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing method for processing an image obtained by reading a document plate on which at least one document is placed. The method includes a first detecting step of specifying a first rectangular region including all of objects included in the image to detect the coordinates of each vertex thereof, an identifying step of identifying on each object whether it is a document item, an eliminating step of eliminating the object which is not a document item from the image, a second detecting step of specifying a second rectangular region to detect the coordinates of each vertex thereof, the region including all of the objects after elimination and having a minimum area, a comparing step of comparing the coordinates of the vertices detected in the first and second detecting steps, and a determining step of determining a method of cropping the document based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoto Matsui
  • Patent number: 8264705
    Abstract: A first part calculates corrected image data for each pixel in the range in which the reading parts of the adjacent image sensors overlaps in the main scan direction, for correcting the image data for a position shift less than an amount corresponding to one pixel in the main scan direction of the image sensors. A correcting method is determined in such a manner that a position shift amount to be corrected increases in a step-by-step manner as moving from a base portion to an end portion in the range in which the adjacent image sensors overlap in the main scan direction. A second part multiplies the image data corrected by the thus-determined correcting method by a weighting factor determined according to a position in the main scan direction in the adjacent image sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushi Takei
  • Patent number: 8259358
    Abstract: A method for eliminating moire in scanned digital image comprises the steps of using an average circuit for taking weighted average and error diffusing a gray level difference between an error diffusion pixel Gij and neighbor pixels to neighbor to obtain output image pixel Y?ij; using a second adder for subtracting the error diffusion pixel Gij from the output image pixel Y?ij to obtain a neighbor image error dij; using a error filter H(z) to process the neighbor image error dij to obtain a corrected pixel error H(d(i,j)); and using a first adder for adding the corrected pixel error H(d(i,j)) and the input image pixel Yij to obtain the corrected error diffusion pixel Gij, and then jumping to first step until all pixels being processed. The method provides real time treatment for eliminating moire and provide smooth image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Muller Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Chen-Chung Chen, Cheng-Huei Chiang
  • Publication number: 20120206776
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an input unit configured to read a document and input image data, a division unit configured to divide the image data into a margin area and a print information area, an acquisition unit configured to count a number of pixels having a gradation value greater than a first threshold value in each divided area, and acquire the number of counted pixels per unit area, and a determination unit configured to determine that the document is white paper if a difference of two acquired pixel numbers per unit area is smaller than a second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Sato
  • Patent number: 8237993
    Abstract: In order to prevent illegal copying more effectively in an image forming apparatus, when a specified ground pattern for preventing copying is detected in input image data, the detected ground pattern is emphasized in the image data. Alternatively, information for detecting the specified ground pattern is stored in a storage device, in order to detect the ground pattern with the stored information. When the ground pattern is not detected, a ground region in the image data is analyzed further to determine whether a different ground pattern exits or not. When a ground pattern is detected, information for detecting the ground pattern is stored in the storing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Naoko Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 8237997
    Abstract: An image reader includes: an average calculation unit which calculates an average DAV of pixel values of pixels existing in an area corresponding to a striped image in a document image read by a scanning unit; a judgment unit which judges whether the average DAV is a value between judgment reference values DL and DH where (DL<DAV<DH); and a correction unit which executes replacement processing to replace a pixel value of each pixel in an area corresponding to the striped image with to a pixel value calculated based on a pixel value of a peripheral pixel if DL<DAV<DH is not satisfied and maintains the pixel value of each pixel in the area corresponding to the striped image without performing the replacement processing if DL<DAV<DH is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuichi Okumura
  • Patent number: 8218202
    Abstract: Multiple images are combined where the images exhibit variations in illumination between one another. The images are of the same portion of an object, and each image is represented by a set of image data. A comparative data transform is applied to each set of image data, such that the transformed comparative image data isolates and preserves first variations in the illumination between the images but suppresses second differences in illumination between the images. At least one normalization transform is determined from the transformed comparative image data sets. When applied to at least one of the image data sets, the at least one normalization transform minimizes the variation in illumination between the image data sets. Each determined normalization transform is applied to the at least one of the image data sets. The normalized sets of image data are transformed to a single image of the portion of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Hunter, Stephen Pollard
  • Patent number: 8213061
    Abstract: A detection device that includes a setting component, a measuring component, an accumulating component, a determining component, and an increasing/decreasing component is provided. The joint quantity measuring component measures joint quantities between the photoelectric conversion elements that are dependent on precision when arraying the plural photoelectric conversion elements. The joint error quantity accumulating component accumulates error quantities of the joints that are obtained from the joint quantities that have been measured and a reference quantity. The determining component determines whether or not the accumulated error quantity has exceeded an allowable range. The interpolation pixel increasing/decreasing component increases/decreases, on the basis of direction of error, interpolation pixels between specific photoelectric conversion elements when it has been determined that the accumulated error quantity has exceeded the allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Hamada
  • Patent number: 8199385
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to save toner, which can increase the sharpness of printed data (for example, images or characters) on a printing medium while achieving toner saving, and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus includes a determinator, a storage unit, and a halftoning processor. The determinator receives a command signal to print and then determines whether or not the received command signal is a command signal for a toner saving mode. The storage unit stores a halftone table in which an LPI higher than a normal LPI is set. If the received command signal is a command signal for the toner saving mode, the halftoning processor generates and outputs halftoning result by comparing gray level values corresponding to pixels of received input image data with grayscale values of the stored halftone table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 8149471
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus in which cross-talk noise occurring between plural reading units is reduced, an image reading method and an image reading program are provided. There are included plural reading units that respectively operate at different timings, a noise calculation unit that acquires first read data as a result of reading of a first read object as the read object by the plural reading units, acquires an operation state of the plural reading units during the reading of the first read object, and calculates, based on the operation state and the first read data obtained in the operation state, noise information based on the operation state, and a noise removal unit that acquires second read data as a result of reading of a second read object as the read object different from the first read object by the plural reading units, and removes noise from the second read data based on the noise information calculated by the noise calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Kawai
  • Patent number: 8139245
    Abstract: An approach is provided for managing the processing of print data at a printing device based upon available consumable resources. A printing device includes a print process configured to determine consumable resources that are currently available at the printing device. The print process is further configured to determine which print data is to be processed based upon the consumable resources currently available at the printing device and the consumable resources required to completely process each of the print data. Print data that can be completely processed using the currently available consumable resources are selected for processing. The print process may also be configured to cause a notification to be provided to a client device to indicate the consumable resources currently available at a printing device and/or that insufficient consumable resources were available to process particular print data and to recommend other consumable resources to process the particular print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lifen Tian
  • Patent number: 8134741
    Abstract: A system and method control a consistent color quality of overlay colors and single separations of color. The method determines a first error for a first separation of a first color, wherein the first error has a first sign. The method identifies a second error for a second separation of a second color, wherein the second color is a different color than the first color, wherein the second error is based on an actual density value for toner particles printed transferred from the second separation, wherein the second error has a second sign. The method compares the first sign of the first error and the second sign of the second error. The method converges the actual density value of the second separation to a target position when the first sign is a different sign than the second sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Song-Feng Mo, Patricia J. Donaldson, Michael J. Martin
  • Patent number: 8098410
    Abstract: During a sheet-through operation, for a first original, a shading operation is performed to acquire white data and a light-quantity measuring operation is performed to acquire a reference value. For subsequent originals, only the light-quantity measuring operation is performed to acquire a subsequent light quantity. If the reference value and the subsequent light quantity differ greatly, the shading operation is performed at this time point to acquire new white data. The sheet-through operation is not stopped when the shading operation is not performed and the sheet-through operation is stopped when the shading operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryu Hasegawa